Politics & Government

Schools, Township Collaborate for New Turf Field

The board of education and council have drafted a lease agreement for the field.

The lease agreement is set as the board of education and township are working together on a new turf field to be constructed on property adjacent to the municipal complex.

“This is a really nice opportunity for the township and district to do something together,” said board of education president Evan Lerner at the Aug. 1 township council meeting. “We are using your resources and our resources to do things together, and I would like to do this more often.”

“I would like to say thank you, and hope you vote yes on this,” he added.

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The council unanimously approved the introduction of the lease agreement between the two entities with regard to the turf field at the Aug. 1 meeting.

The board of education approved the lease agreement at the July 26 meeting.

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The agreement, as outlined in the board of education’s resolution, says the township will use the field for recreational purposes when it is not already being used by the district.

According to the agreement between the two entities, the township has agreed to spend up to $1 million to construct the field in exchange for a 25-year lease with a 10-year renewal option.

The district will pay $1 in rent each year, according to the lease.

According to a letter from Natasha Turchan, director of finance, the money to fund the construction of the turf field is available in the Open Space fund.

Township attorney William Savo said that once the council approves the ordinance, it will be sent on to the New Jersey Department of Education for approval.

“It’s taken a long time to get here, and I think it’s a very balanced agreement,” he said.

Public hearing for the ordinance will be held Aug. 15.


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